JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
A program that helps military spouses meet the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life due to the separation or retirement of their service member is coming soon to the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Military & Family Readiness Center.
Pioneered at the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston M&FRC, TAP Too closely mirrors the Transition Assistance Program for separating and retiring military members, but approaches transition from the spouse’s perspective.
“This is a program that has been long-needed,” said Yazmine Gutierrez, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston M&FRC work/life consultant. “Our spouses are welcome to participate in TAP, but space can be limited. This is a fantastic way to ensure preparation and the sharing of critical information. We know some things get lost in translation or not communicated after a TAP class and spouses tend to take that hit because they aren’t sitting in class.”
The first two JBSA TAP Too sessions were conducted at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston in August and November; the session at the JBSA-Randolph M&FRC is set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 20.
“The workshop agenda covers phases of transition and includes topics on finances, education, family, health care and Department of Veterans Affairs benefits,” said Terry Wise, JBSA-Randolph M&FRC community readiness consultant. “Representatives from the various organizations that help military families will provide information and answer questions about their programs and services.”
The program also addresses topics such as the emotional and psychological aspects of change, including family dynamics, roles and responsibilities, and ways to identify depression.
TAP Too helps spouses face the unknown, Wise said.
“Spouses are the backbone of the military family, and they can and do handle quite a lot during extended work hours, permanent changes of station, deployments and other certainties of military life,” he said. “They have handled these issues numerous times over, but you only transition once and everyone’s transition is unique to their family dynamic. We want to empower the spouses like we do with other workshops offered at the military and family readiness center so they can face this task with the same enthusiasm.”
Some of the concerns spouses raised during the first two sessions included VA benefits and entitlements, job positionality, preparation for their children’s transition and career change certifications, Gutierrez said.
The sessions were well-received, she said.
“Spouses came in from around the United States to participate and we have had installations from around the world contact me for information to develop this at their locations,” Gutierrez said. “In addition, this has been shared with our major command and installation management command for best practice.”
Attendees shared numerous positive comments about the sessions, Gutierrez said.
One spouse said the session provided a “wealth of useful information in a supportive environment and an outstanding lineup of engaging speakers.”
One of the subject-matter experts predicted TAP Too would someday be common throughout the Department of Defense.
“I think we’ll all look back in five years and be proud to have attended the first session of what I think will be a DOD-wide program,” he said.
The second TAP Too session of 2020 is planned May 27 at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston.
“It will be offered quarterly, and the location in JBSA will change throughout the year to ensure that all of our spouses have a chance to attend at a location convenient to them,” Wise said.
The program provides spouses with the information they need to navigate a successful transition, he said.
“Spouses transition, too,” Wise said. “The better informed one is, the better one can handle adversity. Leaving the safety and security of the military can be scary for some. The military and family readiness center wants everyone to succeed while in the service as well as after separation or retirement. The better prepared you are, the more success you will have.”
The program was designed to mirror what service members are receiving in the Transition Assistance Program, Gutierrez said.
“This way the home front is as prepared as the mission-ready service member,” she said. “Military life is a team effort and by preparing the whole family, we can help in an easier transition.”